Origins of the Silk Road - Small Group Tour

For centuries, the winding province of Gansu marked the eastern edge of the exotic Silk Road. On this adventurous twist on a classic Silk Road tour, you'll join a small group and encounter sand dunes that sing in the wind, mountains with colors that dance in the sunlight, and deserts that hide ancient Buddhist art in clandestine caves.

What we love

Hiking through China's "Rainbow Mountains"

Exploring the western end of the Great Wall

Visiting the Mogao Grottoes and discovering the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art

Basic Itinerary

About This Trip

Situated along the legendary Silk Road, Gansu served as a crossroads for China and Central Asia. The temples, Buddhist art, and tombs left behind by travelers, merchants, and artists make Gansu one of the most culturally rich provinces in China. On this small group journey, you'll stop for a bowl of famous Lanzhou noodle soup and show your satisfaction by slurping it down like a local. Float down the Yellow River in a traditional goatskin raft, explore mysterious grottoes filled with medieval Buddhist art, marvel at the iridescent Rainbow Mountains, and wander along the western edge of the Great Wall.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day1

Lanzhou

Meet your local WildChina guide at Lanzhou Airport and transfer to your hotel in a private vehicle • Spend the rest of the day at your leisure

Day2

Lanzhou - Zhangye

After breakfast, cruise down the Yellow River (the second longest river in China) on a traditional goat skin raft. This was the major form of transportation along the river until the first steel bridge was built in 1907 • Visit a local cooking school and learn the history behind the region's famous beef noodle soup • Learn the art of pulling noodles as thin as thread and then enjoy your own bowl of noodle soup for lunch • Take the high-speed train to Zhangye (~3 hours) and drive to the Danxia Land Formation, more popularly known as the "Rainbow Mountains" • Hike through five different "platforms" of height and explore the changing views

Day3

Zhangye

If weather permits, enjoy a water calligraphy or kungfu performance after breakfast • Visit the 12th century Giant Buddha Temple, home to the largest clay Buddha in Asia and the only well-preserved Western Xia Royal Temple in China • Take a rest before continuing your exploration of Zhangye's unique landscapes • You'll hike in Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and enjoy the sunset

Day4

Zhangye - Jiayuguan

Drive (~1hr) out of the city to meet Yugu Minority villagers • Visit the Matisi Grottoes, one of the three most important Buddhist Grottoes in Gansu. The legend of Matisi (Horse Hoof Temple) can be traced back to the 4th century. Here you'll find Tibetan and Chinese cave art and the hoof print of the legendary flying horse who chose the mountains as a holy site • Hike/horse ride through the surrounding pine forest to Linsong Waterfall • In the afternoon, drive to Jiayuguan (~3 hours) • Your guide will help you check into your hotel and the evening will be spent at your leisure

Day5

Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

Visit Jiayuguan, the first pass on the western end of the Great Wall. The Jiayuguan Pass has been fully restored and is now the wall's best-preserved fortress • Visit the Weijin Tomb Murals, which are reputed as the "world's largest underground art gallery" • In the afternoon, drive to Dunhuang (~4 hours), a fertile outpost close to where the Silk Road split into its southern and northern routes either side of the impassable Taklamakan Desert • Spend the evening exploring local night markets

Day6

Dunhuang

Start the day in the "singing" Minsha Sand Dunes, named for the way they rumble in the wind • Stop by Crescent Moon Lake, an oasis nestled in the desert • Enjoy a local lunch in the city's most famous food street • Visit the Mogao Grottoes, a complex of 492 grottoes representing the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art. The caves were created over the course of 1,000 years and were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 • Visit a local artist's studio and learn about traditional styles of Buddhist mural panting • Enjoy a food tour of the area in the evening

Day7

Dunhuang

Your WildChina guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight • Your WildChina journey draws to a close

FEATURED HOTELS

Silk Road Hotel Dunhuang

Boasting unbeatable views of rolling sand dunes, this hotel brings out the character and history of the ancient Silk Road.

Crowne Plaza Lanzhou

4 star

Conveniently located in the center of Lanzhou, the Crowne Plaza offers a comfortable stay with dining options that serve up Western Chinese cuisine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BOOKING INFORMATION

How do I secure my spot on this tour?You can secure your booking by paying a deposit of $500 USD. To start the booking process, click on the 'Let's Plan Your Trip' button below and get in touch with one of our travel designers today.

What is your cancellation policy?All WildChina trips are refundable, less deposit, if formal written cancellation is lodged at least 60 days prior to departure.CLICK HERE to see our full cancellation policy.

Is this trip guaranteed to run?This trip is guaranteed to run once we receive bookings from 6 passengers. Should the trip be cancelled due to lack of sign-ups, WildChina will fully refund any deposits or fees paid.

SIMILAR JOURNEYS

Talk to us - Origins of the Silk Road - Small Group Tour

Need more information?

Email a trip designer atinfo@wildchina.com. Tell us what you’re dreaming of, thinking of, or just have questions about. Within a business day, you’ll have your very own trip designer on the case.

Give us a call or schedule the best time for you by emailing us your preferred call-back time. Our team in Seattle can be reached on +1 888 902 8808 (GMT -7), or you can reach us in our Beijing office on +86 10 6465 6602 (GMT +8). We’re available from 9am – 6pm, local time.

Ready to plan your trip?

If you have an idea of the journey you’d like to take, please fill in the form below. According to your preferences and travel style, we’ll assign you a personal trip designer. They’ll reach out within one business day and work with you to create your perfect itinerary.

Thank you

Talk to us - Origins of the Silk Road - Small Group Tour

Need more information?

Email a trip designer atinfo@wildchina.com. Tell us what you’re dreaming of, thinking of, or just have questions about. Within a business day, you’ll have your very own trip designer on the case.

Give us a call or schedule the best time for you by emailing us your preferred call-back time. Our team in Seattle can be reached on +1 888 902 8808 (GMT -7), or you can reach us in our Beijing office on +86 10 6465 6602 (GMT +8). We’re available from 9am – 6pm, local time.

Ready to plan your trip?

If you have an idea of the journey you’d like to take, please fill in the form below. According to your preferences and travel style, we’ll assign you a personal trip designer. They’ll reach out within one business day and work with you to create your perfect itinerary.

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Need More Information?

Give us a call or schedule the best time for you by emailing us your preferred call-back time. Our team in Seattle can be reached on +1 888 902 808 (GMT -7), or you can reach us in our Beijing office on +86 10 6465 6602 (GMT +8). We're available from 9am - 6pm, local time.

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Let us know what's on your mind in the form below. Tell us what you're dreaming of, thinking of, or just have questions about (we also have a handy series of FAQs here). Within a business day, you’ll have your very own trip designer on the case.

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